News

On January 26th the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had few visitors: Neila Baumiliene and Annalina Blakeslee Kazickas from the Kazickas Family Foundation, Arminas Vareika from "Basketball Power" and Kristina Misiniene from "Caritas".

Since 2012 Kazickas Family Foundation has been supporting Lithuanian Educational Council of the USA (LEC). Its primarily goal - to nurture Lithuanian heritage by supporting Lithuanian Heritage Schools, teachers, and their students in the U.S.

Vaidotas Vaičaitis is a Joseph P. Kazickas fellow at Yale University who started his fellowship in January 2017. During his time at Yale he will study Lithuanian constitutional law within the context of current, on-going European integration.

"Draugas News" published Ramune Kubilius' interview with V. Vaicaitis introducing his background, work, experience and goals.

The Kazickas Family Foundation sponsored the second Lithuanian Language Testers Seminar in Boston on January 13-14 where over 30 teachers from all over the US Lithuanian Heritage schools learned how to determine students language proficiency level according to CEFR standards.

Wear Forget Me Not bloom today close to your heart. It is a sign of remembrance and respect. Twenty six years ago Lithuania abandoned the Soviet legacy and embarked on a path leading to democracy and membership in the EU and NATO. Lithuanians remember January 13, 1991, as the day on which fourteen people lost their lives for their country's independence.

Fourteenth International Christmas Charity Bazaar, organized by the International Women's Association of Vilnius, raised 105,803 euros. 68,651 euros were raised during the December 3rd Bazaar in Vilnius, where visitors could discover original gifts and souvenirs from more than 30 countries and international schools and 37,152 euros were collected from cash sponsors such as Kazickas Family Foundation.

Kazickas Family Foundation supports first homeless day center in Kaunas opened by Caritas Lithuania and Archdiocese of Kaunas in 2014. Cozy atmosphere with hot tea invites people experiencing social isolation to spend few hours every day at the center and enjoy the warmth. Day center visitors have an opportunity to interact, read books or browse through daily newspapers, play board games or solve crossword puzzles.

"As we leave 2016 behind us and face the uncertainty that 2017 brings we are thankful that KFF continues to strengthen, and is well positioned to pursue, and expand it's mission of supporting worthy causes in Lithuania, as well as the United States and elsewhere around the world.

Mercy Center is a community center located in the poorest Congressional District in the US. It offers many programs and services to underprivileged families and help them to take charge of their future and pursue their goals for an improved quality of life. In 2016 Mercy Center served nearly 2,200 participants, ranging in age from one to a youthful 95.

Children of Alexandra Kazickas Lithuanian school presented "the Mitten" to the parents and friends of school during the Christmas celebration. Special guests included Santa, Lucy and Joe Kazickas, Marianne Klepacki, Rasa Mitruleviciene and Rimas Vaicaitis. Thanks to school's wonderful teachers, children enjoyed playing the roles of elves, snowflakes and many forest animals that found a cozy shelter in the mitten, singing Christmas songs and playing games with Santa.